Gas-prepayment attachment for meters.



No. 647,802. Patented Ap'r. I7, |900. c. M..BuHT0N. GAS PREPAYMENT ATTACHMENT FOR METERS.

(Application led Sept. 28, 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l` g H i .33m Fl? K E N E me 'domus nus co.. Pnmm'na., WASHINGTON, D. c.

No. 647,802. Patented Apr. I7, |900.

C. M. BURTON.

GAS PREPAYMENT ATTACHMENT FOR METERS.

(Application filed Sept. 26, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Nrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE,

CHARLES M. BURTON, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE NEW HAVEN NOVELTY MACHINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

GAS-PREPAYIVIENT ATTACHMENT FOR METERS. i

.SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters :Patent N o. 647,802, dated April 17, 1900. Application filed September 26, 1899. Serial No. 731,700. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES M. BURTON, a citizen oi: the United States, residing at New v Haven, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Gas-Prepayment Attachments for Meters, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters and numerals on the zo drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the' production of an improved prepayment attachment adapted for connection to ordinary gasmeters, and it is in the nature of a modification of a similar kind of apparatus shown and described in a contemporaneously-pending application filed by me upon the 26th day of September, 1899, Serial No. 731,701, and the present apparatus includes in its organization certain novel and advantageous features hereinafter more particularly described and covered in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of an apparatus construct- 2 5 ed in accordance with my invention, the section being taken on the line l 1, Fig. 2.. Fig. 2 is atransverse sectional front elevation, the section being taken in theline 2 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a sectional front elevation, the section being'taken in the line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a top plan View of a casing or jacket for inclosing the price-regulator; and Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation, upon an enlarged scale, of a means for holding the price-regulator in an adjusted position. i

The apparatus includes in its construction a housing or casing, as C,which incloses the gas-controlling valve (not shown) and the operating mechanism therefor, only a portion of said operating mechanism being illustrated in Fig. 1 and including a spirallygrooved shaft 12, to which the controlling member 13 is applied. The controllin g member is represented as consisting of a wheel having two sets of teeth and as provided with a key or pin 14, adapted to enter the longitudinal groove 15, so that when the wheel 13 is turned in the proper direction the shaft will be operated in a manner customary in this 5o class of apparatus to and from the gas-controlling valve. (Not shown.) The wheel 13 is inclosed by the cylindrical price-regulator AP, said price-regulator being adapted to fitagainst the plate 16 of the housing C, and it is of cylindrical shape and surrounded by the casingC, both of which will hereinafter be more particularly described.

The inner closed end 17 of theprice-regulator has an annular portion or journal 18 fitted within a bearing-opening 19in the plate 16 and which is provided with the externallythreaded boss 20. The hub of the wheel 13 rotates in a central or substantially-central aperture 2l in the back plate 17 of the priceregulator.

The price-regulator, which, it will be understood, is mounted for turning movement upon the housing C, is held against withdrawal by the nut 22, in threaded engagement with the boss 20, said nut being held in place by the transverse screw 23, which engages the boss 20. The shaft loosely carries the coincarrier N, having -side arms 25 and 26, the space between the same constituting a slot to receive a coin, as X, and being connected at the outer end by the piece 27 and open at the inner end to permit the action of a device which serves to couple the coin-carrier and the controlling-,wheel13 upon the insertion of the proper coin.

The coin-carrier N has a laterally-projecting portion 28, adapted to receive the tubular portion 28 of the knob or turning-wheel K, the two parts being united in some suitable man ner,as by the diametrically-opposite `8 5' screws 29, the heads of which are flush with the periphery of the tubular portion 28,which latter turns in a bearing-opening 29', formed centrally in the face-plate 30 of the priceregulator P.

The price-regulator has an inturned annular iiange 31 fitted within the outer end of the price-regulator and secured thereto by suitable means. (Not shown.)

The controlling-wheel 13, which operates the worm-shaft 12, is provided with a peripheral set or series of ratchet-teeth 32, adapted to be engaged by the spring-pawl or locking device 33, secured to the fixed casing C,which surrounds the price-regulator, and it has upon IOO its outer face a series ofy ratchet-teeth 34,

'adapted to be engaged by a suitable coupling device mounted uponthe coin-carrier N.

ing in the nature of a gravitative pawl, sof

The coupling deviceV represented is designated byD, and it consists'of a pawl pivotedf nearthe axis of the shaft 12, as at 35, it bey that it can vfall -by its own weight outof engagement with the face-teeth 34 of the con'- trolling-wheel 13, and its free end is disposed in the path of the coin X when the lattery is inserted in the slot 36, as shown in Fig.'1,so

- that .said `coin can force the point' of the pawl *will also be turned. to. effect therotation of between two o f ythe face-teeth 34, thereby'to y unite'.thevcoin-carrier and the controllingwheel, anditwill Vbe understood that'when the knob or wheel' K. is turned thewheel k13 the worm-shaf t y12 and the opening ofthe gascontrolling valve, the stroke 'of thevcoincarri'er varying in accordance with the price of gasand being' regulated bythe 'adjustment of `the cylindrical price-regulator.

The price-regulatorPhas a substantially T-shaped coin-receiving slotv 40 formed in its periphery, and the coin-carrierNis shiftable in the price-regulator to bring its slot. or

` vpocket opposite the slot 40 to permitvthe introduction of a coin into the coin-carrier,`

thereby to couple said `coincarrier and the controlling-wheell. The slot is adapted to receive the slide S, which normally covers the same and which has at its outer end the downwardly-extending pin 41. l

K The sleeve portion 28' of the `knob K has the longitudinal channel 45 to receive the pin or stud 41 of the slide S, thereby to permit ksaid slide to be drawn back to eEtect'the in- Said knob is pro-v4 troduction of the coin. vided, further, with a peripheral annular flange 46, separated from the outer face of the plate 30 by a space substantially equal to the diameter of the stud 41, so that when the slide S is closed the knob may be freely turned, and if any attempt is made to open the slide the stud or pin will abut against the'annular flange or rib 46 and such action prevented.

In connection with the price-regulator Iprovide a scale or price-indicator and a coperating pointer, and the scale is represented as consisting of a segmental plate 50, secured tothe outside of the housing C and over or above the casing C,while the pointer','shown as consisting of a beveled pin 51, is driven into theprice-regulator P and extends through the slot `in the casing and is adapted Vto be set'opposite any one of the graduations'or scale-marks 52 upon the indicator-plate, the graduations orvmarks denoting the price of gas from one to'two dollars a thousand feet,A

with five-.cent variations between the same, the stroke'of the coin-carrier being governed by theprice of the gas. Y

The coin necessary to operate the apparatus is in the present casca quarter, and upon an inspection of Fig. 2 it will be seen that the pointer 51 is set oppesiteay mark or graduation for the purpose of delivering to the consumer twenty-iive cents worth ofV gas at one dollar and thirty cents a thousand feet; but the initial position of the pointer can be regulated by circumferentially shifting the priceregulator to bring its pointer opposite a different mark, thereby to correspondingly regulate the distance to be traveled by the coincarrier and the other parts actuated thereby. p It will berememberedf that the cylindrical price-regulator P is supported within the casing C', which is xed as by means of the screws` 55, passiug'through the ears 56 and in threaded engagement with Vthe plate 16 of theV housing CV, and said casing C has the elongated circumferential slot 60, the length 'of which isv substantially equal or slightly exceeds the distance Abetween the extreme Vand itvwillrbeunder'stood that the coin is passed throu gh the elongated slot 60, through the slot 40, and into the slot of the coin-carrier,fwhichr action may be obtained no matter at what point thoprice-regulator may be set, andthe yvidth kot this-slot is substantially equal to or slightly exceeds the diameter of the coin, sc as to permit the free insertion of the coin.l The pointer 51 is set opposite the $1.30markupon the scale-plateV 50, and it `willbe assumed that a quarter has been insertedfin thecoin-carrienthereby t 0 couple the coin-.carrier to the controlling-wheel 13, and the knob K will bev turnedjto the right, thereby moving the coin-carrier to the right or until said lcoin-carrierstrkes a fixed stoplocated .near lthe coinl delivery or discharge point, as represented in Fig.2 by dotted lines, so ,that `thecoincan pass from the coin carrier` through the deliveryslot 60, formednin the periphery of the fixed-casing C', upon the under. side thereof, and into a -suitable receptacle. (Not shown.) The stop which isvdisposed in the path of the coin-carrier vis xed relatively to the price-regulator, and it consists of a body portion 61 ofvsubstantiallyl plate form secured to the housing or box C and having'an L-shaped projection 62,the vertical portion 63 `of which projects through the elongated coin-discharging slot 60' in the fixed casing C' and which constitutes the stop proper. This .vertical portion ricr, as shown lbythe dotted lines in Fig. 2, when the slot 36 reaches a' point opposite the slot 60', so that the `coin can be discharged. After the discharge of the coin from the coincarrier the latter is returned to its initial position, so as to receive another coin when it is desired to operate the gas-controlling valve.

end marks ofthe scale or indicator plate 50, A

TOO

63 is adapted tobe engaged by the coin-carstop is supported, `ot' course, independently of the price-regulator and of the casing surrounding the same, its body portion 61 fitting iiatwise against the front plate 16 and being secured thereto by means of screws 69 or otherwise.

The price of gas in different localities or lStates varies, and in some States it is reduced so much each year per thousand feet, and to compensate for the variance the price-regulator is made adjustable, so that its pointer can be brought opposite different marks upon the scale, and when in an adjusted position it is held or clamped by suitable means, from which it will be evident that the path traveled by the coin-carrier is correspondingly regulated. f Y

When the price-regulator is circumferentially turned, it is held in a fixed position` with its pointer opposite a predetermined point on the scale-plate, by a stop, shown as a pin or screw 75, the head of which is disposed within the plate 16 ot` the housing and the shank ot' which is adapted to engage one of the series of threaded openings 76, disposed in segmental order along the inner closed end of the price-regulator, the number of threaded openings 76 agreeing, of course, with the graduations or marks upon the scale-plate. To readj ust the price-regulator, it is simply necessary to remove the screw 75 from the threaded opening 7 6 which it occupies, turn the price-regulator either forward or backward, and reinsert the screw in a different threaded opening 76 or that The invention is not limited to the exact elements nor to the organization thereof previously set forth, as these may be differently modified within the scope of the annexed claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an apparatus of the class specified, a controlling member, an adjustable cylindrical price-regulator having a money-receiving slot, a coperating scale and pointer, one of said parts being controlledby the price-regulator, a knob, a coin-carrier connected with said knob and located within said adjustable price-regulator, a device mounted upon the coin-carrier and in position to be operated by a coin, and to be thereby coupled to said controlling member, a iixed casing surrounding the cylindrical price-regulator and having a slotthe length of which is substantially equal to the distance between the extreme graduations on said price regulator, means for holding the price-regulator in a fixed position, and a fixed stop for arresting the motion of the coin-carrier when the coin-discharging point is reached.

2. In an apparatus of the class specified, a controlling member, an adjustable cylindrical price-regulator having a money-receiving slot, a scale, a'coperating pointer secured to the price-regulator, a knob, a coin-carrier connected with said knob and located within said price-regulator, a device mounted upon the coin-carrier and in position to be operated by a coin, and to be thereby coupled to said controlling member, a fixed casing surrounding the cylindrical price-regulator and having a slot the length of which is substantially equal to the distance between the extreme grad nations on said price-regulator and also having a slot through which said pointer extends, means for holding said price-regulator in a fixed position, and a xed stop for arresting the motion of the coin-carrier when the coin-discharging point is reached.

3. In an apparatus of the class specified, a controlling member, a scale, an adjustable cylindrical price-regulator having a moneyreceiving slot and also having a second slot the length of which is substantially equal to the distance between the extreme graduations on said scale, a pointer cooperating with said scale and connected to the price-regulator, a

knob, a coin-carrier connected with said knob and located within said price-regulator, a device monnted upon the coin-carrier and in position to be operated by a coin and to be thereby coupled to said controlling member, means for holding said price-regulator in a fixed position, and a fixed stop disposed in the path of the coin-carrier and projecting through the elongated slot in the price-regulator.

4. In an apparatus of the class specied, a controlling member, a scale, an adjustable cylindrical price-regulator having a moneyreceiving slot and also having a second slot the length of which is substantially equal to the distance between the extreme graduations on said scale, a pointer cooperating with said scale and connected to the price-regulator, a knob, a coin-carrier connected with said knob 'and located within said price-regulator, a device mounted upon the coin-carrier and in position to be operated by a coin and to be thereby coupled to said controlling member, means for holding said price-regulator in a fixed position, and a stop consisting of a fixed body provided with an L-shaped projection having a vertical portion extending through the elongated slot in the price-regulator and disposed in the path of the coincarrier.

5. In an apparatus of the class speciled, a

controlling member, a scale, an adjustable cylindrical price-regulator having a moneyreceiving slot and also having a second and elongated slot, the length of which is substantially equal to the distance between the extreme graduations on said scale, a pointer cooperating with said scale and connected to the price-regulator, a knob, a coin-carrier connected with said knob and located within said price-regulator, a device mounted upon the IOO IIO

4 l l l* .647,soa

coin-carrier and'in position to be operated by a coin and to be thereby coupled to said conf trolling member', a casing having a slot to receive a coinv the length of which isl substantially equal to the elongated slot in the priceregulator, andfalso having a coin-discharge Lslot, a stop for the coin-carrier projecting through said coin-discharge slot and also through the elongated slot Yin the price-regulater.

v6. In an `.apparatnis of the class specified, a controllingI member, a scale, an adjustable cylindrical price-regulator having avmoneyreceiving slot, a coin-carrier disposed Within the price-regulator, a -knob connectedto vsaid coin-carrier, a device mounted upon the coincarrier and in position to be operated by a coin and to be thereby coupled to said controlling member, a fixed stop disposed in the path of the coin-carrier, and a fixed part provided with a projection adaptedto engage in one of a segmental series of openings in the cylindrical price-regulator, thereby to hold the latter in an adjusted position.

7. In an apparatus of the class specified, 'a controlling-member, a scale, an adjustable cylindrical price-regulator having a moneyl receiving slot and also having a second and the price-regulator, a knob, a coin-carrier conelongated slot, the length of which is substantially equal to the distancev between 1 the extreme graduations on said scale, a pointer cooperating with said scale and connected to nected with said knob and located within said. price-regulator, la device mounted upon the coin-carrier and in position to be operated by a coin and to be thereby coupled to said controlling member, a casing having a slot to receive a coin. the length of which is substantially equal to the elongated slot in the priceregulator, and also having a coin-discharge slot, .a stop for the coin-carrier projecting through said coin-discharge slot and also through the elongated slot in the price-regulator, a slidel adapted normally to cover the peripheral slot in the price-regulatonand means for locking the controlling member against backward movement during the travel of the coin-carrier and after the coin-carrierV reached.

has Abeen uncoupledfrom said controlling member.Y t

S. In an apparatus ofthe class specified, a

` shaft having a controllinglnernber, a housing or boxing, an adjustable cylindrlcal priceregulator mounted for turning movement upon one-of the' plates 'of the housing and having-a money-receiving slot, 'a coperatlng scale and pointer, one'of said parts being controlled bythe price-regulator, a knob, a coincar'rier connected with saidknob. and located within ,said adjustable price-regulator, a device mounted upon the coin-carrier and in position to be operated by a coin,` and to be `.thereby coupled to said contr'ollingmember,

a fixed casing surrounding the cylindrical price-regulator and having a slotv the length of which visv substantially equal to they distance between the extreme graduations on saidl price-regulator,=means for holding the 'price-regulator in a fixed position, and a fixed stop for arresting the motion of the coincarrier when the coin-discharging point 1s V9. In an apparatus of the class specified, a shaft having a controlling member, a housing or boxing, an adjustable cylindrical -pricereglilator provided with a journal portion supported forturning movement upon one of the plates of the`housing,-and having a moneyreceiving slot, and said journal portion being provided with a threaded boss, a nut located in the housing and in threaded engagement with said boss, a Apin holding the nut on the boss, a cooperating scale and pointer one of saidy parts beingcontro'lled by the price-regulator, a knob, a coin-carrierv connected with said knob and provided with a coin-actuated device adapted to be coupled to said controlling member, means for holding the pricevregulator in an adjusted position, and a stop disposed inthe path of the coin-carrier.

vIn testimony whereof I have signed my name to this 1 specification in the presence of' two subscribing witnesses. Y

j CHARLES M. 'BURTON. Witnesses:l j j I FRANKlA. LANG-WITTE,

D. OiSMY'rH. x t 

